Pleasanton Weekly

Chief names new captain and lieutenant

Promotions follow appointment of new chief in May

by Glenn Wohltmann

Police Chief Dave Spiller has announced his first departmental restructuring since being appointed to the top job in May.

Lt. Craig Eicher will be promoted to captain on July 27, to fill the position left vacant when Spiller was named chief. Eicher will head the Investigations and Services Division, which includes four areas of responsibility: Criminal Investigations Unit, Youth and Community Services Unit, Professional Standards Unit, covering Personnel and Training, and Support Services, covering Dispatch and Records.

Capt. Eric Finn will continue in command of the Operations Division.

Sgt. Jim Knox will rise to the rank of lieutenant to fill the slot vacated by Eicher, who has been supervising the Traffic Division.

Eicher and Knox will be recognized at a badge pinning and oath of office ceremony July 27 at the Police Department.

Eicher was promoted to lieutenant in 2007. He began his career at the Pleasanton Police Department in December 1989 as a police reserve officer. His assignments have included bike patrol, field training officer, motor officer, detective and detective sergeant. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in May 2002 and holds a master's degree from St. Mary's College.

Knox has been with the department since 1987 and has recently served as the supervisor of the investigations division. He's a trainer on "perishable skills" -- which can include control during arrests and firearms -- and a former S.W.A.T. officer. Knox is also a graduate of the Sherman Bloc Supervisory Leadership Institute.

Chief Spiller said Eicher and Knox are "great guys that I think are going to support my vision and keep moving the organization forward."